Zardari may be discharged from hospital tomorrow: Spokesman

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to be discharged tomorrow from a Dubai hospital, where he is being treated for a heart condition, and has been advised to rest at home, his spokesman here said today, without giving any date for his return to Pakistan.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to be discharged on Thursday from a Dubai hospital, where he is being treated for a heart condition, and has been advised to rest at home, his spokesman in Islamabad said on Wednesday, without giving any date for his return to Pakistan.

HT Image

The results of all investigations conducted on 56-year-old Zardari were "within normal range," Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said, quoting a health bulletin issued by the American Hospital in Dubai.

The bulletin said the President had been advised to rest at home and to continue his "regular heart medications."

However, the spokesman did not give any date for Zardari's return to Pakistan.

Religious affairs minister Khursheed Shah had said on Tuesday that the President would return in time for events to be held on December 27 to mark the death anniversary of his wife, former premier Benazir Bhutto.

Zardari's abrupt departure for Dubai on December 6 to seek treatment for what officials said was a previously diagnosed cardiovascular condition sparked speculation that he could be on the verge of resigning due to growing pressure on him from the powerful military.

PPP leaders have denied reports that Zardari had suffered a minor stroke and that he would step down.

A close presidential aide told PTI on Wednesday that the President will need several weeks to be fit and resume his duties.